James O'Connor removed from Perth Airport, barred from flying with Wallabies after Argentina win

Updated
Thu Sep 19 00:12:27 EST 2013

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James O'Connor was reportedly escorted by police out of Perth Airport after the Wallabies' win over Argentina.

Getty Images: David Rogers

Australian winger James O'Connor was removed from Perth Airport and barred from taking a flight after the Wallabies' narrow win over Argentina on Saturday night.

The 44-Test winger was not allowed to board his scheduled flight to Bali and was escorted from the terminal by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers.

A statement from AFP said officers "spoke to a 23-year-old man at Perth International Airport in the early hours of the 15th of September (Sunday)".

"It is alleged the man was intoxicated. The airline the man was booked to travel with made a decision not to allow him to board the aircraft. The AFP subsequently escorted the man from the terminal."

It is understood most of the squad flew back to their home states the next morning ahead of a bye week in the Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies fly out of Australia on Saturday for a two-week tour of Argentina and South Africa.

Currently without a Super Rugby club, O'Connor has been linked to a move back to the Perth-based Western Force, where he first came to prominence.

O'Connor has been involved in several controversies in recent times.

He was dumped from Super Rugby club Melbourne Rebels earlier this year, was photographed at 4am at a fast food outlet in the lead up to a British and Irish Lions Test and has been disciplined or cut from the Test team for missing team meetings.

The 23-year-old had said he would turn over a new leaf with new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.